Trauma-informed training as a path to intergroup readiness: a mixed-methods evaluation of EMDR education in a shared society context

Trauma-informed therapies, particularly Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), have demonstrated individual efficacy, yet their broader societal impacts remain underexplored. This mixed-methods study examined how participation in a shared EMDR training program influences professional self-efficacy, intergroup openness, and reconciliation readiness among therapists working within a conflict-affected society. Twenty-four participants completed a post-training questionnaire that included quantitative Likert-scale items and qualitative reflective prompts. Descriptive and exploratory analyses indicated overall positive shifts in perceived professional growth, hope for reconciliation, and cross-group helping capacity, alongside greater variability in reported interpersonal understanding. Exploratory subgroup analyses compared Jewish-Israeli and Arab-Palestinian participants, revealing meaningful but non-significant trends reflecting each group’s distinct sociocultural perspectives. Thematic analysis of qualitative responses identified four main themes: interpersonal connection, experiential learning, hope mixed with skepticism regarding peacebuilding, and suggestions for enhancing intergroup dialogue opportunities. Together, these findings highlight that trauma-informed professional training can simultaneously support clinical development and foster initial steps toward intergroup empathy and social healing. Intentional facilitation of cross-group engagement remains critical to maximize the broader peacebuilding potential of such initiatives, and future research should examine longitudinal and comparative outcomes across diverse program settings.